What a difference a camera makes

I was being lazy when I went to shoot this photo. Instead of going through the whole grind that I usually go through with setting up my dslr camera on my tripod, I just shot some quick pics with my iPhone instead. I figured it’d be good enough for Etsy, but it turns out I was wrong. I uploaded the photo above to my computer, and thought..wow, what happened? The photo looked nothing like the painting once I saw it on a bigger screen.

Now, I love my iPhone, like..really LOVE it, and this is in no way bashing the job it does. I think it takes great photos, especially compared to the horrible Android I used to have, but here’s why I don’t think it’s good enough. The photo below was shot with my Nikon D3200. The lighting was the exact same for each of these shots, and the photos were taken just minutes apart.

My eye tells me that the painting looks more like this photo than the one above.

Now, if you use your phone for all your photos, I’m not telling you to run out and buy a Nikon (I’m actually thinking of switching back to Canon soon, but that’s a whole ‘nother blog post). I still plan on using my phone to take work in progress shots because it’s quick, and easy. For final product shots, I’m going to stick with my dslr, even if it is more work to set up the tripod.

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Painter, licensed artist, blogger. My artwork can be seen on Criminal Minds on CBS. If you like my art, and want to license it, please contact me.

Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea and I had a good purpose and that’s why I made works of art. – Felix Gonzalez-Torres